BlueDriver install

(This posting in intended for newbies who, like me, are dissatisfied with the lack of information displayed on the '19 4Runner instrument cluster.)

I recently trade-in my 2012 Dodge Durango for a 2019 4Runner Limited. Indeed, it is limited in displaying data. It has only a few idiot lights for such parameters as battery voltage and TPMS tire pressures. The older Durango showed numerical values for each tire, coolant temperature, oil temperature and a few other parameters. The 4Runner shows only a lame, uncalibrated gauge for coolant temp and just that idiot light for battery voltage.

After much study of the countless scanners and displays available, I opted for the BlueDriver dongle. One reason I opted for the dongle was that I had two unused Android cell phones. My plan was to download the BlueDriver app into both cell phones then decide whether or not to get the BlueDriver dongle. Downloading the free app (Google Play for Android; enter BlueDriver OBD) was easy and painless. I was able to get a preview of what the Blue Driver could do and so impressed that I purchased it on Amazon and tossed in ten bucks for same-day delivery. I had that thing in-hand within four hours.

I admit that I had to make a few attempts to pare it with my phone, but it finally connected. Once connected, it jumped alive with its main page. From there, I entered the VIN and away we went. I was able to clear codes and setup the "LIVE" display. The supported data for display is listed by selecting the Setting tab in LIVE mode (the gear in the pix below). I chose to see coolant temp (ECT), RPMs, speed, ambient air temp (AAT) and Voltage at the PCM (VPWR). I also chose to show the data in the gauge format. As shown in the pix, it not only shows as a gauge but includes its numerical value. The colors can be selected, as shown they are defaults.

I drove the 4R around the neighborhood and watched the speed and rpm gauges track as expected. I turned the engine and the phone on and off a few times and the system rebooted back to the display without any issues. All things considered; I'm pleased with the BlueDriver. I might hook it up as a permanent display tool or use it for trouble shooting.

 

I've had a Bluedriver OBD thingy for a couple years now. I've been happy with it--it has saved me some time and money on a couple occasions by helping me figure out what exactly is wrong and what parts I needed to replace. I haven't actually used it in a few months or more but when I first got it for my old Chevy pickup truck there were unfortunately a lot of codes that the Bluedriver module could not clear. Hopefully they've been continuing to update their software to increase its functionality.

 

with the dongle plugged in all the time does the car's CAN system stay awake to talk to it, possible draining battery power?

I have a Blue Driver. Never thought to leave it plugged in though, just use it for diagnostics. A minimalist gauge cluster is fine for me.

 

From the OBD Link MX+ web site:

"Tests revealed that BlueDriver® takes three times as long to enter lower power mode while consuming 7.5 times as much energy. Most concerning, BlueDriver® consumes 19.3 milliamperes in sleep, which is up to twice as much as the vehicle’s own parasitic current draw and ten times as much as OBDLink MX+."

This a link to their comparison of the OBDLink MX+ to the BlueDriver:

OBDLink MX+ vs BlueDriver | OBDLink® | OBD Solutions LLC.

The 19.3 ma 'OFF' current might be due the LED as 19 ma is a typical ON current for an LED. I just checked to see if the LED is illuminated in the 'OFF' state and it is in fact 'ON'. If it drains the battery, I'll probably wind up removing the LED.